Solidarity Statement Denouncing the Increase in Antisemitic Hate Crimes
June 8, 2021
Solidarity Statement Denouncing the Increase in Antisemitic Hate Crimes
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and 55 civil and human rights organizations, firmly denounce the recent rise in antisemitic hate crimes. Antisemitism is sadly not new in this country; however, in recent years, we have witnessed more violent and frequent anti-Jewish hate incidents and crimes including the recent spike that prompts this statement. We commend the many civil society and governmental leaders who, as have so many member groups of the Leadership Conference, denounced these antisemitic hate crimes, and we call on all local, state, and national leaders to join in condemning these acts.
As a Civil Rights community that stands for the rights of all, we note that this disgraceful and alarming escalation of antisemitic hate crimes parallels the alarming increases in hate crimes more broadly– and are driven by the same white nationalist forces. Our country has seen devastating increases in anti-Muslim, anti-Sikh, and anti-Arab hate, as well as an ongoing rise in acts of hate targeting Asian American communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ, Black Americans, and immigrant communities in the United States. Indeed, we recognize that for many Black and Brown communities, the increase in hate crimes is far greater than the official numbers would suggest because of a longstanding fear of reporting to law enforcement and inconsistent reporting standards by law enforcement agencies.
Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Arab-American community leaders and organizations have firmly denounced these hate incidents, stood in support and solidarity with the victims and survivors of these acts, and refused to allow the perpetrators of hate to divide us. In addition to bringing our communities together to condemn acts of hate, we also must ensure that survivors of these incidents and their communities have the support and resources they need. Local community organizations who serve people who are targeted for hate must have the resources to support the needs of the communities they serve.
Antisemitism is at the core of white nationalism, and white nationalism thrives on division. We, as diverse organizations, remain united in confronting the legacy and present-day effects of white supremacy and all acts of hate, including hate crimes against Jews, in our country. Now, more than ever, we must stand and work together to combat hate, including this recent spike of antisemitic acts, wherever we find it. Those seeking to divide our communities will fail. We will never stop protecting and advancing civil and human rights for all, nor let up on our mission to build an America as good as its ideals.
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
A. Philip Randolph Institute
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
American Federation of Teachers
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Amnesty International USA
Arab American Institute
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
B’nai B’rith International
Bend the Arc: Jewish Action
Brennan Ctr for Justice at NYU School of Law
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Center for Community Self-Help
Center for Security, Race and Rights
Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism-California State University, San
Bernardino
Coalition on Human Needs
Hispanic Federation
Human Rights Campaign
Impact Fund
Interfaith Alliance
Japanese American Citizens League
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
League of Women Voters of the U.S.
Legal Aid at Work
Matthew Shepard Foundation
Movement Advancement Project
Muslim Advocates
NALEO
National Action Network
National Association of Social Workers
National CAPACD
National Center for Law and Economic Justice
National Center for Transgender Equality
National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC)
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of Negro Women
National Disability Rights Network
National Fair Housing Alliance
National Women’s Law Center
Natural Resources Defense Council
New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
Northwestern University
Not In Our Town
Open to All
Oxfam America
People For the American Way
PFLAG National
Public Justice
Sikh Coalition
Southern Poverty Law Center
Union for Reform Judaism
United Auto Workers
Voices for Progress
Western States Center
YWCA USA